T-Boz Opens Up About Brain Tumor & Sickle Cell

TLC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins recently sat down with CNN to discuss her struggle with sickle cell anemia and her recent brain tumor. T-Boz has suffered from sickle cell anemia and was told that she wouldn’t live past 30. Told that she wouldn’t be able to have children and would be disabled, Watkins, 39, has a 9-year-old daughter.

“Doctors, they didn’t give me a happy ending,” said T-Boz, who added that doctors told her she wouldn’t live past 30 or have kids because of her sickle cell. “I believe words are powerful. Every thing — every single thing in life happens for a reason,” she said.

She had seemingly beaten the odds. But three years ago, her doctor delivered news she never imagined: she was told she had a brain tumor.

The tumor was benign, but because of her sickle cell disease, surgery was risky. Watkins could lose everything a performer needs: hearing, balance, facial movement, and speech.